Rating: 
Summary: TIMELY....
Review: It's almost eerie that this book appeared September 2001, just as Americans are reeling with shock after senseless terrorist attacks killed thousands of civilians. Rabbi Kushner's books have comforted me in the past, and I was glad to see this new one published just when we need it. Kushner writes with insight about the inner human struggle between what we know is right or good and the self-serving impulses that tempt us. He writes about the desire for revenge and the morality of justice and forgiveness. The author quotes from various religious texts as well as world literature, mythology, and history to explore themes of the conscience. He manages to articulate moral issues with remarkable insight and wisdom, and without being teachy-preachy. The book deals with weighty issues but is a breeze to read. I recommend it to anyone struggling to understand his/her own conscience and those of other humans.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritually Uplifting!
Review: Living a Life That Matters by Harold S. Kushner is a spiritually uplifting book. Kushner emphasizes that the important things in life are not always in a material form but rather the relationships we have with other people. Recognizing this he speaks of the importance of being a good person and it's challenges. Kushner notes that even good poeple make mistakes and that's part of being human. Many of the parables are based on Jacob. The book leaves you with the feeling that being succesful in life is achieved by knowing that you are not alone in the world because the people that you love and the lives that you touch make you important and succesful no matter what your income is.
Rating:
Summary: LIVING A LIFE OF LOVE AND COMPASSION!
Review: Living a life that matters can be easily translated into living a life of love and compassion for one's fellow man. As a result of the terrible tragedy in New York City on September 11th, there are many people searching for answers to life's meaning, and asking why...why this senseless tragegy? The unexplained mysteries of life, however tragic, are often attributed to the fact that the universe is unfolding as fate intended and that all things happen for a reason. Somtimes, it is very difficult to find "good reason" in such a time of horror. Tragedy has a way of bringing people together in time of need, and hopefully from that we find strength, understanding and love for humanity. Through all of this we struggle to find spiritual and emotional peace within ourselves and while "Living a Life That Matters" does not have all the answers, it is a book which instills goodness, understanding and compassion within us. The book helps us to see that revenge and quest for power are destructive, that material gain is really very insignificant in life's overall plan, and that love, kindness, compassion and personal strength enrich our lives a thousand times over. Each and every person we reach out to touch leaves a mark on the world and in our hearts.Harold S. Kushner has written a book that causes the reader to look deep within themselves and decide for themselves just what kind of person they truly want to be. Chapter eight was my favourite part of the book as it points out the influence we have on others. Each and every chapter reveals an important message to us so that we may do our part in making the world a better place and, by doing so, finding solice and peace within ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: LIVING A LIFE OF LOVE AND COMPASSION!
Review: Living a life that matters can be easily translated into living a life of love and compassion for one's fellow man. As a result of the terrible tragedy in New York City on September 11th, there are many people searching for answers to life's meaning, and asking why...why this senseless tragegy? The unexplained mysteries of life, however tragic, are often attributed to the fact that the universe is unfolding as fate intended and that all things happen for a reason. Somtimes, it is very difficult to find "good reason" in such a time of horror. Tragedy has a way of bringing people together in time of need, and hopefully from that we find strength, understanding and love for humanity. Through all of this we struggle to find spiritual and emotional peace within ourselves and while "Living a Life That Matters" does not have all the answers, it is a book which instills goodness, understanding and compassion within us. The book helps us to see that revenge and quest for power are destructive, that material gain is really very insignificant in life's overall plan, and that love, kindness, compassion and personal strength enrich our lives a thousand times over. Each and every person we reach out to touch leaves a mark on the world and in our hearts. Harold S. Kushner has written a book that causes the reader to look deep within themselves and decide for themselves just what kind of person they truly want to be. Chapter eight was my favourite part of the book as it points out the influence we have on others. Each and every chapter reveals an important message to us so that we may do our part in making the world a better place and, by doing so, finding solice and peace within ourselves.
Rating: 
Summary: Please read it
Review: Other reviewers have already given good to great summaries of this book. I just wanted to add my vote. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: The Personal and Social Significance of Doing Good
Review: Rabbi Kushner has woven a fascinating series of essays together to establish a new way to think about the meaningfulness of your life choices. Spiritually, he finds many people torn between the desire to achieve significance and the call of the consciences. Like the young Jacob, some will obtain their desires by cutting corners that offend their consciences. Drawing on his many years as a rabbi, he shares what he has learned at many death beds. Few people are concerned about dying. Those who have done good things in their lives are almost always at peace. Those who regret the timing of their deaths wish for a little more time, so that they might yet leave some marks of goodness behind them. From that perspective, he gently points out that we can achieve both the significance and the clear conscience that we crave by focusing our attention on have positive influences on others in supporting roles as family member, friend, and occasional helping hand to strangers. The move, It's a Wonderful Life, is used as an example. The Jimmy Stewart character doesn't realize how all the little things he did affected so many lives, which in turn affected so many other lives. We, too, tend to be blind to the potential influence we have. The book has a kindness and gentleness that make its message welcome and warming. "I believe in you. I believe that you have the ability to do great things, things that will change the world for the better." I share that belief and am delighted that Rabbi Kushner has written this book. In chapter one, the subject is the two voices of God. This essay considers the models of competition with others and our heart-felt desire to share compassion, and how the two often operate at odds with one another in young people. He ascribes the competition to a desire for significance, that many psychologists would echo as a deep human need. In chapter two, the story of Jacob's transformation from trickster to being firmly founded in God's will is featured. I especially liked the way that the pain of winning by trickery and being tricked in turn by Laban probably affected how Jacob felt about himself. In chapter three, you are encouraged to decide what kind of person you want to be. Rather than ask all to seek perfection in sainthood, he argues for a mixture of human competitiveness and compassion that allows us to strive and to care. This chapter includes interesting references to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and an episode of the original Star Trek series in which Kirk is divided into a good and a bad version by a transporter problem. In chapter four, there is an interesting discussion of the psychological impacts of justice from the point of view of those who are harmed. The experience of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is recounted along with a new type of trial in the United States where attempts are made to improve how the victims and their families feel. In chapter five, you will learn about how wholeness (personal integrity) can be achieved. The primary example is that of Mr. Aaron Feuerstein, CEO of Malden Mills, who rebuilt his factory after a disastrous fire while keeping his employees on full salary for the first three months. In chapter six, the key concept is that God's presence is manifested on Earth in our relations with those we love, both family and friends. Chapter seven explores the notion of how supporting roles have big impacts too. Most of us can have these roles. If we were movie actors, we could even get an Academy award for doing this well. Chapter eight is a thoughtful discussion of our influence on other people. I particularly liked the reference to The Bridge of San Luis Rey, and how all those who died had recently learned how to love. Young people often write to me to find out the theme of that book, and don't understand it even after lots of hints about what those who died had in common. Perhaps you have to know human love beyond your family before that message can become part of your heart. The book ends on this note from the Talmud. "A good person, even in death, is still alive." That quote means to me that our impact is carried on in the reality and memories of those we have touched who are still alive. Although Rabbi Kushner is obviously of the Jewish faith, he is remarkably ecumenical in his ability to reflect the perspectives of many religious and nonreligious beliefs and traditions. He has a practical bent that I appreciate, as well. For example, he points out that teens who are feeling out of sorts often respond well to taking on community service roles. That too has been my observation, After you finish reading this rewarding book, think about how you could combine things you enjoy doing with having a more positive influence on others. For example, even if all you do is watch television, you could go watch television with people who have no one to keep them company. Be significant in the goodness you create by following your conscience!
Rating:
Summary: Doing Well by Doing Good.
Review: Rabbi Kushner's latest book offers wonderful reflections on living a life with purpose and meaning. Having had the opportunity to read this book amidst the news of terror and destruction emanating from NYC, his words become even more poignant as many of us seek to reconcile the basic human drive to achieve and succeed in a material world with the desire to craft lives devoted to spiritual and emotional enrichment.
The author articulately conveys the "need to matter" so important in our daily lives whether it be in our chosen career, our relationships with family, or in society in general. The theme of this book reminds me of Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" in that Rabbi Kushner reminds us that a life worth living is a life filled with love friendship and devotion.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging conversation.
Review: This is a great book. It's a book about what it means to live in two worlds - success, appearances, work ambition, and the world of spirit, goodness, and conscience. Rabbi Kushner addresses the dynamic tension of the two, and the influences they exert on us. Ultimately, we must choose goodness. Questing for integrity, choosing not to be seduced by revenge, knowing we matter to the world, defining ourselves by who and how we love, these are the things that define ethical morality.
Rating:
Summary: Finish In Three Hours, But Want To Read Twice
Review: This is a great book. It's a book about what it means to live in two worlds - success, appearances, work ambition, and the world of spirit, goodness, and conscience. Rabbi Kushner addresses the dynamic tension of the two, and the influences they exert on us. Ultimately, we must choose goodness. Questing for integrity, choosing not to be seduced by revenge, knowing we matter to the world, defining ourselves by who and how we love, these are the things that define ethical morality.
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